Headers/sidepipes

[Beegle17]

Ok I've tried searching and maybe I'm doing something wrong. ....but I am wo seeing everyone's thoughts on header/sidepipe options.

Chrome, ceramic coated or stainless? Pros, cons to each style?

I am a long way from actually making a decision to go with sidepipes but I'd like to gather I go beforehand!

 

[Jr. Corvette]

While I unfortunately don't have any experience with side pipes I've heard a lot of people, especially passengers burn their legs on the pipes. One option you could look at is custom image corvettes. They make a side pipe kit with fiberglass or carbon fiber covers that bolt in where the rocker panels are.

 

[74Ken]

I don't have them yet either but when I do I will install Steel Shields over them to stop burning legs.

 

[Keith Tedford]

If you do a lot of highway driving, the noise of the side exhaust will get downright annoying.

 

[Beegle17]

If you do a lot of highway driving, the noise of the side exhaust will get downright annoying.

Good point Ken. I probably won't a huge amount. maybe a couple trips a summer 4 or 5 hrs each way. after I've driven this a bit more and I am familiar with any issues I could possibly plan a trip home to BC next summer.
but chances are I won't have the upgrades done before then anyway.
Just sort of kicking ideas around on what I might want to do with it!

 

[Macs65]

I have had my 65 for 25 years, lots of driving time. Equipped with GM shielded pipes no burns ever.
I now must wear hearing aids, was told by the hearing specialist that my left side is much worse than the right, about 2.5 feet from the exhaust tip. Not a good thing. Hooker side pipes will clean the skin right off.

 

[Nic69]

I've had hooker side pipes forever now. When I drive my other C3 that has a stock exhaust it just isn't the same excitement. Yes you need to be careful but its worth it. Besides those who have burned or felt the heat, will never do it again.
As for the noise, nothing better then it...best music I can ever make!

 

[Beegle17]

My biggest fear is the fact that I'm a fairly big guy. I fit once in the car but the getting in and out makes me look like one of those circus clown cars I'm sure! Lol
I need to find someone with side pipes to let me try the access/egress for my old man body.

 

[Jr. Corvette]

Sorry I made a mistake on my previous post. I don't know why but today it came to my mind that I said Custom Image Corvettes makes the side pipe covers. They don't, it's actually Dynamic Corvettes which makes that part.

 

[Beegle17]

So an update to this situation. I have decided against sidepioes and will stay with standard exhaust routing. I just pulled the engine yesterday and a huge part of the job was the headers/exhaust. I actually had to cut them out because the PO WELDED. the collectors to the exhaust pipe. So, now I am looking for new header or exhaust ideas. These were cheap headers and didn't fit well at all. There was no way I was able to get plugs out with these headers. So I'm guessing he never changed plugs after the headers were installed. In you opinions.....what is the best header or exhaust manifold set up? I am installing a 383 that is dumping out at 432hp.

 

[gdh]

McJacks make a very high quality header. They are definitely not cheap but then again high quality rarely is. What size pipe and what exhaust are you running?

 

[Beegle17]

Well now I'm going to probably have to redo most of the exhaust. I have 3" duals with Flowmasters. I cut the pipes off right about the trans crossmember. I hope to just tie back into it. Maybe put in an X pipe?

 

[gdh]

What do those Flowmasters flow? I remember that some were a bit restrictive, were loud with an annoying drone when cruising. I run a 383 into long tube headers to 2.75“ through Ultraflow exhaust. I used to run 1/4’s (using a previous built 383 designed for this) and didn’t want a restriction from carb to tailpipe. I also ran a Holley 4779 at the time, I should did it out and rebuild it or just sell it.

 

[00fxd]

Here is a pic of my side pipes. Completely stock 2004 6.0L, Efi. Ran on Dyno and tuned to 375 Horsepower. Hooker sidepipes modded to fit LS engine. Spiral Turbo Baffles 4inch. Made the Stainless guards after every woman I know got "branded", now no problem - 90ish degreeF on the hottest day on the IR Heat gun. Drive the car everywhere, have almost 50k kilometers on the car in this incarnation. No problem with excessive loudness. The perfect car.